Guest Panel-Week 2

Please note that I will not be tabulating the standings for the Guest Panel. I will accept picks as comments to this post and I will publish the comments on Thursday night. I will not send out an email to Guest Panel members. Good luck!

Games for this week:

1. Hawaii vs. Ohio State

2. Oklahoma vs. Tennessee

3. Oregon vs. Michigan State

4. LSU vs. Mississippi

5, Iowa vs. Iowa St.

And the oddball game this week:

6. Austin Peay vs. Southern Mississippi

Guest Panel-Week 1

Please note that I will not be tabulating the standings for the Guest Panel. I will accept picks as comments to this post and I will publish the comments on Thursday night. I will not send out an email to Guest Panel members. Good luck!

Games for this week:

1. Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech (Monday)

2. Wisconsin vs. Alabama

3. Michigan vs. Utah

4. Texas vs. Notre Dame

5, Bowling Green vs. Tennessee

And the oddball game this week:

6. Florida A&M vs. South Florida

Scouting the Hokies

Virginia Tech jumped into the rankings last season after its second week victory over top-ten Ohio State. The Hokies were unable to maintain the momentum and finished with a 7-6 record last season.

Offense
Michael Brewer returns for his second year as the VTech QB, after transferring from Texas Tech. Last year he completed 59% of his passes for 2692 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. This season the Hokies will work to reduce the number of interceptions and sacks of Brewer. Back at receiver are Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips, and TE Bucky Hodges. At running back will likely be J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds.

Defense

The defensive line will be a strength of this team, as the defensive ends Dadi Ncolas and Ken Ekanem return after combining for 18.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss last year. The secondary is anchored by All-American corner Kendall Fuller, but there are some question marks with previously injured cornerback Brandon Facyson returning as a starter and safety Chuck Clark who is likely changing positions.

OSU 2015 Roster

QB

J.T. Barrett
J.T. Barrett took over during preseason camp last year and lead the Buckeyes until he was injured during the season finale against Michigan. In his twelve games last season he completed 64% of his passes for 2,834 yards and 34 touchdown passes. On the ground Barrett rushed for 938 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He set school and Big Ten records in most of those categories. Barrett struggled against Virginia Tech, but he redeemed himself as the season progressed, but most notably in the Michigan State game passing for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Cardale Jones

Cardale Jones played limited minutes leading up to the Michigan game, when he stepped in for the injured J.T. Barrett. In those three postseason games: (1) he completed 12/17 for 257 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin; (2) he completed 18/35 for 243 yards with one touchdown and one interception against Alabama; and (3) he completed 16/23 for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Missing in those statistics are how his cannon like arm opened up the running game.

RB

Like Cardale Jones, Ezekiel Elliott built his legacy in the three post season games last season. He ran for 220 yards and two touchdowns against Wisconsin, 230 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama, and 246 yards and four touchdowns against Oregon. Those postseason numbers put him over 1800 yards for the season, second only to Eddie George. That total is more impressive considering his lingering wrist injury and how he split carries with Curtis Samuel and the halfbacks Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall early in the season. Throughout the season Elliott also shared running duties with the quarterbacks.

This season he will get most of the touches, but backing him up will be Curtis Samuel, Bri'onte Dunn, and Warren Ball. Unfortunately freshman Mike Weber tore his meniscus and will miss a number of games. Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall will miss the season opener as punishment for a team violation, but look for them to be a factor running the ball. Braxton Miller will also see some time at halfback running the ball.

Receivers

Ohio State will miss the deep threat of Devin Smith, especially if Cardale Jones is in at QB. Ohio State will be without the services of Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith in the opener due to a team violation. Also missing will be Noah Brown who suffered a leg injury in preseason camp. Michael Thomas will be the main threat due to his size and speed. Braxton Miller will be available as a halfback. The remaining receivers are unproven, but highly hyped, Johnnie Dixon, Paris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, James Clark, Alex Stump, and K.J. Hill.

O-Line

Returning as starters are Jacoby Boren, Taylor Decker, Billy Price, and Pat Elflein. Chase Farris is expected to be a starter as well.

D-Line

Gone are Michael Bennett and Steve Miller from last year's solid unit. Two returning starters are Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington. Bosa was a beast, selected as an All-American. He had 55 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. Bosa will miss the Virginia Tech game due to a team violation. Washington had 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Some players competing for a starter position are Tommy Schutt, Michael Hill, Tyquan Lewis, and Darius Slade.

Linebackers

Back at linebacker are stars Joshua Perry and Darron Lee and Raekwon McMillan. Perry led the team with 124 tackles last year. Lee is a converted QB who as a redshirt freshman last year recorded 81 tackes, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. McMillan will be a full-time starter this year, but even when sharing minutes he had 54 tackles last year. There are a number of exciting players available in the reserves.

Defensive Backs

Returning at safety are Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell. Returning at defensive back is Eli Apple, but gone is Doran Grant to graduation. Gaeron Conley is expected to start opposite of Eli Apple. This unit intercepted the ball 19 times, including seven in the postseason last year.

Kicker

There is a competition currently between Sean Nuernberger and Duke graduate transfer Jack Willoughby. Nuerenberger handled placekicks last year and Kyle Clinton handled kickoffs, but Clinton graduated. Nuernberger was only 13 of 20 in FGs. Willoughby averaged 65.4 yards/kickoff but he never attempted a PAT or FG at Duke. It is possible Willoughby will fill the same role as a kickoff specialist, much like Clinton last season.

Punter

Cameron Johnston returns as the punter.

What to Expect

Both teams played Michigan State this season. In the second week of the season Oregon defeated Michigan State in Eugene with a final score of 46-27. Michigan State actually led 24-18 at halftime but Oregon took control in the second half with two interceptions which led to touchdowns. Ohio State defeated Michigan State at East Lansing in November with a final score of 49-37, in a game which Ohio State controlled from start to finish.

Oregon has been fairly consistent with its running offense, including a season low of 144 rushing yards against Arizona (regular season) and a season high of 301 rushing yards against Arizona (Pac-12 Championship) and Florida State (Rose Bowl). The Ducks only failed to eclipse 172 rushing yards in one game. Oregon has been even more consistent with the passing game with a season low of 210 against UCLA and a season high of 380 against South Dakota. Oregon has only failed to exceed 238 passing yards once. Look for Oregon to have 170 rushing yards and 225 passing yards.

The Oregon defense has been strong against the run limiting all but two teams to under 200 rushing yards, including a low of 63 for Washington State. UCLA did break through for 328 rushing yards and Arizona did have 208 rushing yards in the regular season. The Ducks have been vulnerable to the pass with four teams passing for over 300 yards and eight teams passing for over 250 yards. Look for Ohio State to have 275 rushing yards and 275 passing yards. Ohio State will win 42-31.

Scouting the Ducks

Oregon has a record of 13-1 with victories over South Dakota, Michigan State, Wyoming, Washington State, UCLA, Washington, California, Stanford, Utah, Colorado, Oregon State, Arizona (Pac-12 Championship), and Florida State (Rose Bowl). Oregon lost to Arizona in the regular season but beat the Wildcats in the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game. Oregon averages 241 rushing yards/game, 311 passing yards, and 47 points. The Duck defense allows 156 rushing yards/game, 265 passing yards, and 22 yards.

Offense

Marcus Mariota won the Heisman this season while completing 68% of his passes for 4,121 yards, 40 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Mariota also has 731 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Leading the Ducks in rushing yards is true freshman Royce Freeman with 1343 yards and 18 touchdowns. At receiver are Byron Marshall with 834 yards and 5 touchdowns and Dwayne Stanford with 578 yards and six touchdowns. Marshall was the starting running back last year, and he still take snaps in the backfield, and also returns kicks. Receiver Darron Carrington will miss the game due to a positive drug test. Receiver Devon Allen missed most of the Rose Bowl and will be out again with a knee injury. 

Defense

Senior safety Erick Dargan leads the team with 90 tackles and 7 interceptions in his first season as a starter. Linebacker Derrick Malone has 81 tackles. Linebacker Joe Walker has 8 tackles for loss. Corner back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will miss another game due to a knee injury in December. 

Things to Watch

See You in 2020

These two teams are scheduled to play each other in 2020 in Eugene and 2021 in Columbus.

Eighth Title?

Ohio State looks to add to its list of seven national championships. Ohio State previously won the national championship in 1942 (Paul Brown), 1954 (Woody Hayes), 1957 (Woody Hayes), 1961 (Woody Hayes), 1968 (Woody Hayes), 1970 (Woody Hayes), and 2002 (Jim Tressel).

OSU Last Game

It was an exciting game which lived up to the pregame hype. Ohio State was limited to two field goals in the first quarter, while Alabama scored two touchdowns. In the second quarter Alabama increased its lead to 21-6, but Ohio State responded with two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the half. Michael Thomas had an amazing touchdown reception thrown by receiver Evan Spencer. It was the first of at least three exciting plays by Evan Spencer. Alabama led 21-20 at halftime. Devin Smith hauled in a 47-yard touchdown pass early in the second half. The teams traded punts but Ohio State scored off an interception by defensive lineman Steve Miller, who ran back the ball 41 yards for the touchdown. In its next possession Alabama scored to get within six points, with a score of 34-28. Ohio State's offense struggled to move the ball consistently, but with less than four minutes remaining Ezekiel Elliott broke through the line for a 85-yard touchdown run, with assistance from the offensive line and an incredible block by Evan Spencer. Alabama responded by driving the ball down the field and Amari Cooper pulled in his second touchdown reception. With less than two minutes remaining Alabama attempted an onside kick and Evan Spencer showed great discipline and skills when he pulled down the ball. Ohio State was unable to run out the clock and Alabama took possession with less than two minutes remaining. Alabama moved the ball, but Sims threw his third interception and Tyvis Powell returned the ball and ran out the clock. Ohio State won with a final score of 42-35. Cardale Jones passed for 243 yards and one touchdown. Ezekiel Elliott scorched Alabama for 230 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The Coaches

Urban Meyer
In the 12th season of his coaching career Urban Meyer's record is 141-26. Meyer is 37-3 at Ohio State, after going 12-0 in his first season. He earned his graduate degree from Ohio State and worked with the team as a graduate assistant under Earle Bruce from 1986-1987. He was an assistant coach at Illinois State under former OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. He later re-joined Earle Bruce at Colorado St. In 1996 he was hired as an assistant coach under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, and he remained with Notre Dame through 2000. In 2001 he started his head coaching career at Bowling Green and in two years he had a record of 17-6. He was hired at Utah in 2003. In his first year Utah won its bowl game, and during the second year the team was undefeated and won the Fiesta Bowl. He was 22-2 in two years at Utah. He had a record of 65-15 during his six years at Florida, including two BCS National Championships.

Mark Helfrich

In his second year as a head coach, all at Oregon, he has a record of 24-3. He is a graduate of Southern Oregon where he played quarterback. He played professionally in Europe. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon in 1997. He also was a coordinator at Boise State, Arizona State, and Colorado. Prior to his promotion to head coach in 2013 Helfrich served as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Oregon.

The Series

OSU is a perfect 8-0 against Oregon with series dating back to 1957. The last meeting was in 2010. Below are the scores from the eight games.

1957 Ohio State 10, Oregon 7 (Rose Bowl)
1961 Ohio State 22, Oregon 12
1962 Ohio State 26, Oregon 7
1967 Ohio State 30, at Oregon 0
1968 Ohio State 21, Oregon 6
1983 Ohio State 31, Oregon 6
1987 Ohio State 24, Oregon 14

2010 Ohio State 26, Oregon 17 (Rose Bowl)